IThe Community Life Committee and your fellow parishioners present a monthlong series of entertaining and thought-provoking classes, workshops, field trips, events and other offerings to help us “Wake Up to Something New.” Here is a listing of the many interesting and fun activities that we have planned, but the times, dates and offerings may change. Updated listings will appear on this page. Do check back.

Pencil in any events that interest you on your calendar. To sign up, send an email to Community Life or come see us at Coffee Hour beginning February 9. Some events may require a small fee or have limited enrollments.

Don’t Miss Out!
Sign Up Today!

 

Calendar at a Glance

A Musical Breakfast with Alex Jensen (Violin) (Max 10)
Sunday, March 1, 9:00–9:45 a.m.  
Sunroom

In the Kitchen with Lynne Lipcon: Cheat Eats (Max 5)
Monday, March 2, 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lynne’s home

Dinner and a Movie: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (Max 10)
Friday, March 6, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Kitendaugh/Cavanaughs’ home

Sculpture Studio Tour: The Shop  
Saturday, March 7, 3:00 p.m. in Natick

How to Get the Most Out of Your iPhone Camera: A Workshop with Brad Keyes  (Max 17)
Sunday, March 8, 2:00–5:00 p.m. 
Stokey Library

Carbon Taxes as Climate Change Solution with Dr. Gilbert Metcalf
Tuesday, March 10, 7:30–9:00 p.m. 
Vestry

A Musical Breakfast with Charlie Anderson (Trumpet) (Max 10)
Sunday, March 15, 9:00–9:45 a.m. 
Sunroom

A Conversation About Racism with Rachel Sideman-Kurtz
Monday, March 16, 7:00–8:30 p.m.  
Stokey Library

Museum of Fine Arts Guided Tour with Karen Krowne (Max 15)
Friday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. at the MFA

Nano Brewery Tour: Every Beer Lover’s Dream (Max 15)
Saturday, March 21, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
In the brewer’s home near Worcester.

People, Power, and Polity in UU Congregations with Rev. Stephanie (Min 5, Max 25)
Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. 
Stokey Library

Polly’s Piano Bar (Max 16)
Sunday, March 22, 7:00 p.m.
Kitendaugh/Cavanaughs’ home

Legislative Forum on Climate Change
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30–9:00 p.m. 
Sanctuary

In the Kitchen with Lynne Lipcon: Soups to Sip and Share  (Max 5)
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lynne’s home

Moral Injury in UU History with intern Alex Jensen
Sunday, March 29, 11:30 a.m. 
Stokey Library

Sudbury Valley New Horizons Musicale
Sunday, March 29, 3:00–5:00 p.m. 
Vestry

 

 

STOP BY THE WAKE-UP BOOTH!

 

Stop by the “Wake-Up Booth” during Coffee Hours starting February 9 to pick up some new ideas and inspiration or click here. Any questions about the programs? Just want to sign up? That’s easy! Email Community Life!

A Musical Breakfast with Alex Jensen (Violin) (Max 10)
Sunday, March 1, 9:00–9:45 a.m.   Sunroom
You know our intern can deliver a sermon and if you read the Unitarian, you know he’s a cookie baking whiz, but did you know he is also a violinist? Join Alex for bagels and coffee, learn a little about the history of the violin, and hear Alex play one of his favorite pieces.

In the Kitchen with Lynne Lipcon: Cheat Eats (Max 5)                                              Monday, March 2, 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Lynne’s home
Lynne is a confessed cheater when it comes to cooking. Come learn some of her shortcuts to delicious dishes including appetizers, entrées, and more. Learn to shop smart, chop less, and eat well! You’ll eat what you cook, so bring your appetite!

Dinner and a Movie: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (Max 10)  2 dates!
Fridays, March 6 or April 3  6:00–9:00 p.m. Kitendaugh/Cavanaughs’ home
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (1966) is a masterpiece of a film. From the direction (Mike Nichols’ first film), to the casting (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton), to the brilliance of Edward Albee’s play, this five-time Oscar winner takes us through what critic Joe McGovern called “a long, cruel marathon of a night.” Join us for dinner, conversation, and a riveting cinematic experience. Caution: the material, including language and situations, is difficult and very provocative for its time.

Sculpture Studio Tour: The Shop 
Saturday, March 7, 3:00 p.m. in Natick
Join Kathleen Lang on a tour of the studio space of our beloved parishioner David A. Lang, who died in 2017. The Shop is a living monument to David’s spirit of inclusiveness. You will see a small representation of David’s work, including some of his kinetic sculptures, along with works of other artists who now share the space. Meet David’s collaborator, Greg Paul, and other artists of The Shop. Join us for wine and cheese and an intimate look at how art is made. Directions upon registration.

How to Get the Most Out of Your iPhone Camera: A Workshop with Brad Keyes
(Max 17)
Sunday, March 8, 2:00–5:00 p.m.  Stokey Library
Do you have an iPhone? Would you like to take really great pictures with it? Then join Brad Keyes for an afternoon exploring your iPhone’s built-in camera features as well as some great apps that let you create memorable photographs to share and print. Bring your iPhone (version 6 or later) and dress comfortably to move about in this truly hands-on event. Come ready to have fun and discover the unsuspected artistry you have right in your pocket.

Carbon Taxes as Climate Change Solution with Dr. Gilbert Metcalf
Tuesday, March 10, 7:30–9:00 p.m.  Vestry
Could a carbon tax be an effective solution for climate change? How might it work? In this first of two offerings on climate change sponsored by the Lydia Maria Child Fund, Prof. Gilbert E. Metcalf will share his expertise with us. Currently the John DiBiaggio Professor of Citizenship and Public Service and a Professor of Economics at Tufts University, Dr. Metcalf served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Energy at the Department of Treasury in the Obama administration.

A Musical Breakfast with Charlie Anderson (Trumpet) (Max 10)
Sunday, March 15, 9:00–9:45 a.m.  Sunroom  CANCELED
You have heard Charlie play his trumpet, but do you know why he finds it so fascinating? Well, he is happy to show and tell you! Join Charlie for music, bagels, and coffee, and learn about the physics of sound and the mechanics of the instrument of angels, jazzmen, fanfares, and marching bands everywhere.

A Conversation About Racism with Rachel Sideman-Kurtz
Monday, March 16, 7:00–8:30 p.m.  Stokey Library
The third in a series of five monthly talks about racism, this conversation, called “Knowing Better, Doing Better,” will allow participants to share their efforts to overcome racial prejudices and move on to action. Let’s share our successes and challenges drawing inspiration from each other. (Other conversations are on February 10, What We’re Reading and Watching; April 13, The Economics of Race; and May 11, Looking in the Mirror: Hallmarks of White Culture.)

 

Museum of Fine Arts Guided Tour with Karen Krowne (Max. 15)
Friday, March 20, 10:30 a.m., at the MFA
Karen Krowne, an MFA docent, will lead a tour of the newly installed exhibit “Contemporary Art: Five Propositions”, which seeks to rethink the stories that can be told with contemporary art at the MFA, and uses five thematic groupings to explore ways to consider the future growth and interpretation of this collection. Join Karen for a personal tour and perhaps stay for lunch afterward. Complimentary admission.

Nano-Brewery Tour: Every Beer Lover’s Dream (Max 15)
Saturday, March 21, 1:30-4:30 p.m., in the brewer’s home near Worcester
Join Lynne Cavanaugh and Jim Kitendaugh for a Saturday afternoon tour of an in-home nano-brewery. Meet master brewer Jeff Boot and learn how he became interested in brewing beer, the obstacles he faced, and the keys to successful in-home brewing, with an emphasis on East Coast IPAs. Take a tour of Jeff’s in-home tap room and sample his brew. It’s a perfect way to spend part of a Saturday afternoon. We will meet at First Parish at 1:15 and carpool.

People, Power, and Polity in UU Congregations with Rev. Stephanie (Min 5, Max 25)
March 22 at 11:30 a.m.  Stokey Library
Rev. Stephanie is currently teaching a course at Harvard Divinity School and she’s exploring a lot of interesting questions. Who’s in charge of a UU congregation, exactly? Why does it matter who officiates a wedding, a memorial service, or a child dedication in our religious tradition? How are decisions made at the UUA and are they binding on all member congregations? Get a taste of the conversation emerging theologians are having about governance this year — all UU students, including Alex, take this course — and learn what guidance Stephanie is giving them.

Polly’s Piano Bar (Max 16)
Sunday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. at the Kitendaugh/Cavanaughs’ home
Following last year’s rave reviews, Polly Oliver will once again be “tinkling the ivories” and leading a night of singing around the “piano bar” at the home of Jim Kitendaugh and Lynne Cavanaugh. Ably assisted by Jim, Polly will lead the group through an eclectic mix of Broadway, American Songbook, and classic pop tunes. Participants will be asked to contribute some favorites for consideration and a few surprises are planned, as well. Warm up your pipes and get ready for a fun evening! Wine and refreshments provided.

Legislative Forum on Climate Change
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30–9:00 p.m.  Sanctuary
In this forum on climate change, co-sponsored by Mass Audubon and moderated by its Climate Change Program Director, six  state legislators– Rep. Carmine Gentile, Rep. Alice Peisch, Sen. Mike Barrett, Sen. Becca Rausch, Rep. Tom Stanley, and Sen. James Eldridge– will present pending climate change legislation and describe how we can all help turn some bills into laws. We have the potential to generate significant solutions to the climate crisis and set a national example. This forum, supported by the Lydia Maria Child Fund, is open to the public. Bring a friend or two!

In the Kitchen with Lynne Lipcon: Soups to Sip and Share  (Max 5)
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Lynne’s home
What happens when you put 12 hands together with some onions, stock, spices, and good intentions? For the answer to this and more, come join Lynne and learn a new recipe or two, a couple of culinary tricks, and then sit down to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we’ll pay it forward by delivering soup to others in the parish. Sharing soup is like offering a warm hug!

Moral Injury in UU History with intern Alex Jensen
Sunday, March 29, 11:30 a.m.  Stokey Library
Moral injury may still be an open signature wound from recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, yet Unitarians and Universalists throughout history have also encountered moral and spiritual wounds. What is our Unitarian Universalist legacy with  moral
injury? Alex has a long-held interest in this topic. Join him and explore how UUs can offer a continued legacy in creating peace and healing for all who are affected by war.

Sudbury Valley New Horizons Musicale
Sunday, March 29, 3:00–5:00 p.m.  Vestry
Free music! Members of the Sudbury Valley New Horizons Music group, including some of our own First Parish musicians, will feature their musical efforts in an afternoon showcase of their instrumental skills – ranging from novices to life-long learners. Come lend your appreciation and encouragement with Diane Muffitt, Music Director.